ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Government continues to procure Kharif 2020-21 crops at MSP from farmers as per its existing MSP Schemes
Approval accorded for procurement of 14.09 LMT of Pulse and Oilseeds for KMS 2020-21 for the states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana and Haryana
Upto 28.09.2020, Paddy procurement totaling 16,420 MT having MSP value of Rs. 31 crore done from farmers of Haryana and Punjab
The arrival of Kharif Marketing Season 2020-21 has just begun and the Government continues to procure Kharif 2020-21 crops at MSP from farmers as per its existing MSP Schemes as done in previous seasons.
Based on the proposal from the States, approval has been accorded for procurement of 14.09 LMT of Pulse and Oilseeds for KMS 2020-21 for the states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana and Haryana. For other States/UTs, approval will also be accorded on receipt of proposal for Kharif Pulses and Oilseeds and procurement of FAQ grade will be made as per Price Support Scheme , if the market rate goes below its MSP during the notified harvesting period.
Upto 28.09.2020, the Government through its Nodal Agencies has procured 46.35 MT of Moong having MSP value of Rs.33 lakhs benefitting 48 farmers in Tamil Nadu. Similarly, 5089 MT of copra  having MSP value of Rs. 52.40 crore has been procured benefitting 3961 farmers in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu against the sanctioned quantity of 1.23LMT for Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
The procurement of Paddy during Kharif Marketing Season 2020-21 has started from 26th September, 2020 in Haryana and Punjab. Upto 28.09.2020, the Paddy Procurement of 3,164 MT in Haryana and 13,256 MT in Punjab totaling 16,420 MT having MSP value of Rs. 31 crore at MSP of Rs 1888 per quintal has been done from 1443 farmers of Haryana and Punjab. The procurement of paddy for the remaining States has just commenced from 28.09.2020.
The procurement of Cotton for the season 2020-21 shall commence from 1st October 2020 and Cotton Corporation of India  will start purchase of FAQ grade Cotton from 1st October 2020 onwards.
Ministry of Finance
Interest on delayed payment of GST: CBIC
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs  today clarified that the Notification No. 63/2020-Central Tax dated 25th August 2020 relating to interest on delayed payment of GST has been issued prospectively due to certain technical limitations. However, it has assured that no recoveries shall be made for the past period as well by the Central and State tax administration in accordance with the decision taken in the 39th Meeting of GST Council. This will ensure full relief to the taxpayers as decided by the GST Council.
CBIC explanation came in response to an assortment of comments in the social media with respect to Notification dated 25th August 2020 regarding charging of interest on delayed payment of GST on net liability  w.e.f. 1st September 2020.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Ministry of I&B calls for engagement of Young Professionals for deployment at various regional offices of Press Information Bureau 
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has invited applications for hiring of thirty three Young Professionals  on a contract basis for one year  to work in the regional offices of PIB across the country. Among these positions, two are in Telangana and one in Andra Pradesh. The YPs so engaged would be required to collaborate with officers and departments to develop communication material related to policies, schemes, announcements, and events of the Central Government.
The essential qualifications include Degree or Diploma in Journalism/ Mass Communication/ Visual Communication/ Information Arts/ Animation & Designing/ Literature and Creative writing. Further, a minimum of two-year work experience after Master's Degree or Diploma, preferably in the field of Communication, designing, marketing, animation, editing and book publishing is required. The candidate needs to be thorough in both Telugu and English.
Interested candidates can look up further details at www.mib.gov.in. The last date of receipt of applications in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is 30th September, 2023. For any clarification Under Secretary  may be contacted.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
NHAI Carries Out Extensive Road Safety Audits to Enhance Road Safety
Observing ‘Road Safety Week’, NHAI has been working on assessment of various safety measures on National Highways to make them safer. NHAI has laid down extensive policy procedures for carrying out Road Safety Audit and responsibilities has been earmarked for all stakeholders for facilitating the audit and for the implementation of the recommendations.
NHAI has been conducting safety audits on National Highways at the planning, construction, operations, and maintenance stages. During FY 2021-22, NHAI undertook safety audit of 16,500 km of National Highways through safety auditors specialized in safe roads engineering studies and safety audit of 19,300 km has been completed during this financial year till December 2022.
To ensure implementation of recommendation of Safety Audit, a web-based portal  has been developed at NHAI and 260 safety audit reports have been uploaded by the safety consultants on Data Lake and are monitored for implementation by NHAI.
In addition, NHAI has made Third Party Road Safety Audit at Detailed Project Report  stage mandatory for all the projects. DPR for all new projects will be safety audited by a team of independent Safety Consultants, and the recommendations of the safety auditors will be taken into account during further stages of design. Further, the safety review of the DPRs is undertaken by dedicated road safety officers at NHAI to ensure that all the necessary safety measures have been incorporated.
Improvement of junctions and provision of traffic calming measures where National Highways pass through habitations is also being undertaken systematically based on safety audits and accident data.
In FY 2021-22, Safety mitigation measures have been undertaken on 6,179 locations and 2,015 locations in the current FY 2022-23. Safety was improved at the junctions by installing lighting, road signs, safety barriers, pedestrian guard rails, rumble strips, speed humps on crossroads, speed cushions, transverse bar markings etc. to regulate and streamline traffic flow. NHAI has initiated installation of Traffic Impact Attenuators to mitigate the severity of accidents with roadside hazards along National Highways.
Construction of passenger cross movement facility in rural areas on the completed 4/6 lane National Highways has also been initiated. Also, safe passenger crossing facilities such as Foot Over Bridges, Pedestrian Underpass, Pedestrian Subway, and Vehicular under pass has been provided at various locations across the country.
MJPS
(Visitor Counter : 1369
Ministry of Home Affairs
Major seizure of opium in Ajmer district and of cocaine at Mumbai Airport by Narcotics Control Bureau
In a very significant achievement a team of Narcotics Control Bureau , Jodhpur seized 56.850 kgs. of Opium along with 19.930 kg. of poppy straw. This is the biggest seizure of Opium in the year so far by NCB or any other enforcement agency. The seizure was affected after developing intelligence over a period of time near Piplaj Toll plaza on NH 8 from a truck. Three persons have been arrested. The source of the seized drugs is reported to be Chatra district of Jharkhand.
In another significant achievement, a team of NCB, Mumbai seized 4.300 Kgs. of high grade Cocaine at Mumbai Airport. This is only the second seizure of over 4 kg Cocaine in India in the current year. First 4 Kg. seizure was also by a NCB team . This was a Intelligence based operation where two foreign nationals  were checked on alighting from a flight and found to be in possession of the Cocaine. Both have been arrested. The case is under Investigation.
Ministry of Coal
Coal Secretary Dr. Anil Kumar Jain Reviews Performance of NCL
Lays Foundation Stone for 50 MW Solar Power Plant
Dr. Anil Kumar Jain, Secretary Ministry of Coal has said that Northern Coalfields Limited  is keen to promote sustainable coal mining which is getting reflected in the recent initiatives by the coal Miniratna. Dr. Jain along with Joint Secretary, Smt. Vismita Tej was on a visit to NCL to assess the overall performance of the Company.
While interacting with senior officials of NCL, the Secretary emphasised on the need to scale up coal production and dispatch in sustainable manner to make the nation self -reliant in the energy sector. He called upon to adopt innovative means in mining process to mitigate its impact on environment and urged team NCL to adopt business diversification strategies. CMD, NCL Shri Bhola Singh, DT , CVO and other senior officials were present.
Dr. Anil Kumar Jain also laid the foundation stone for a 50 MW solar power plant in the Nigahi Area. The plant will be set up over an area of 129.35 hectare land with a total power generating capacity of 94 million unit per year and will lead to reduce carbon emission by 78020 Tonnes per year. The generated power will be used for operational and other purposes by NCL. The company is set to achieve 273 megawatt power generation in the coming time from renewable sources to achieve the target of Net Zero.
Dr. Jain visited the Nigahi open cast coal mine and oversaw the mine operation. He also inspected the site of ongoing First Mile Connectivity Project  at Jayant Area. NCL is working on such nine First Mile Connectivity Projects with an investment of more than Rs 3100 crores out of which two projects have already been completed. With completion of these FMC projects till 2023-24, NCL will be capable to despatch entire coal produced through eco-friendly and mechanized mode.
Dr. Anil Kumar Jain and Joint Secretary Smt. Vismita Tej interacted with various stakeholders of the Company including coal consumers i.e. prominent power Gencos during the visit.
NCL produces more than 122 million tonnes of coal annually from its 10 highly mechanized opencast mines based in Singrauli and Sonbhadra district of MP and UP states.
PIB Headquarters
PIB’S BULLETIN ON COVID-19
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- 217.68 cr Total Vaccine doses  have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
- 11,67,772 doses administered in last 24 hours
- India's Active caseload currently stands at 43,415
- Active cases stand at 0.10%
- Recovery Rate currently at 98.72%
- 4,688 recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to 4,40,00,298
- 4,129 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours
- Daily positivity rate 
- Weekly Positivity Rate 
- 89.38 cr Total Tests conducted so far; 1,64,377 tests conducted in the last 24 hours
#Unite2FightCorona #IndiaFightsCoron
Press Information Bureau
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Government of India
Ministry of Home Affairs
Union Home Minister pays homage to martyrs at the National Police Memorial
“This visit gave me more inspiration and energy to serve our nation": Shri Amit Shah
The Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah paid homage to the martyrs at the National Police Memorial  here today. It was significant that the visit to NPM was Shri Amit Shah's first public engagement after assuming charge of the Ministry of Home Affairs yesterday.
He was received at the Memorial by the Union Home Secretary Shri Rajiv Gauba, Director IB, Shri Rajiv Jain, Directors General of Central Armed Police Forces and other senior officers.
Shri Amit Shah laid a wreath at the 30 feet tall central sculpture as a mark of respect to the sacrifices made by police personnel in the service of the Nation since Independence. Earlier, the guards presented a salute to the Home Minister.
Shri Amit Shah also visited the National Police Museum located at the basement in the complex. Officials explained to him various exhibits depicting police history, valour and achievements made in different theatres across the country.
Impressed with the visit to the NPM, the Home Minister wrote in the visitors' book:
"Paid homage to more than 34,000 martyrs of police and security forces. Our great nation is safe today because of their supreme sacrifices. I pay my utmost respects to those martyrs and their families. This visit gave me more inspiration and energy to serve our nation."
Ministry of Finance
DGGI Headquarters arrests one person for issuing bogus invoices without supply of goods
The Directorate General of GST Intelligence Hqrs.  has arrested one person, namely, Shri Anupam Singla son of Shri Krishan Kumar Singla, permanent resident of Sirsa, Haryana, who had created about 90 fake firms for the purpose of issuing bogus invoices without supply of goods thereon. During the search conducted at the Delhi residence/offices of Sh. Anupam Singla, DGGI Hqrs. has recovered 110 debit/credit cards belonging to different persons; blank signed cheque books/ blank cheque books pertaining to 173 different bank accounts; blank bilty books belonging to various transporters; identity proofs of different persons; number of mobile SIM cards; and other incriminating documents. The firms opened by Sh. Anupam Singla issued invoices worth Rs. 7,672 Crore, including the circularly traded value, with a GST component of Rs. 660 Crore. The said firms have passed on fraudulent ITC to some of the well established Traders and Cotton Yarn Spinners who have availed of the same to discharge their GST liability against their outward supplies, with an ulterior motive to defraud the Government Exchequer. Thus, Sh. Anupam Singla has committed offences under the provisions of Sections 132 and 132 of the CGST Act, 2017, which are cognizable and non-bailable under Section 132 of the CGST Act, 2017 and are punishable under Section 132 of the CGST Act, 2017. Consequently, Sh. Anupam Singla was arrested on 18.07.2019 under Section 69 of the CGST Act, 2017, following which he was produced before the CMM, New Delhi at Patiala House Courts. The CMM has remanded Sh. Anupam Singla to judicial custody of 14 days on 19.07.2019. During the investigations conducted so far into the fake billing racket in the cotton industry, the DGGI Hqrs. has recovered an amount of Rs.32.60 Crore towards the GST evaded. Further investigations in the matter are in progress.
Ministry of Labour & Employment
More than 1.2 crore benefited under Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Protsahan Yojana
Government is implementing Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Protsahan Yojana  since 2016 with the objective to incentivise employers for creation of new employment and also aimed to bring informal workers to the formal workforce. Under the scheme, Government of India is paying Employer’s contribution i.e. 12% for a period of three years to the new employees earning wages less than or equal to Rs. 15,000/- through EPFO.
The terminal date for registration of beneficiary through establishment was 31st March 2019. The beneficiaries registered upto 31st March, 2019 will continue to receive the benefit for 3 years from the date of registration under the scheme i.e. upto 31st March, 2022.The scheme was estimated to benefit 20 lakh beneficiaries. As on 27th November, 2021, benefit has been provided to 1.21 crore beneficiaries through 1.53 lakh establishments.
Campaigning for increasing the awareness about the scheme was done through various modes of media, including the website of EPFO. Besides this, to increase the awareness among employers and employers’ associations, a number of seminars and meetings were also conducted.
This Information was given by the Minister of State for Labour and Employment Shri Rameswar Teli, in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Steel
New Sponge Iron Industries
The details of State/Union Territory wise number of sponge iron plants operational during FY 2020-21 in the country, including Uttar Pradesh are as following:-
State/Union Territory wise details of Indian Sponge Iron Industry, 2020-21
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State/Union-territory
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No of Units
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Andhra Pradesh
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6
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Chhattisgarh
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69
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Goa
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3
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Gujarat
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10
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Jharkhand
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24
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Karnataka
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35
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Maharashtra
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7
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Odisha
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76
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Tamil Nadu
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6
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Telangana
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9
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Uttar Pradesh
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|
4
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West Bengal
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|
36
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TOTAL
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285
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Source: Joint Plant Committee 
The total employment in the domestic sponge iron industry stood at about 85,000 during 2020-21 .
Steel being a deregulated sector, specific decisions regarding setting up of the sponge iron industries are taken by individual steel companies/investors based on commercial considerations and market dynamics.
This information was given by the Union Minister for Steel Shri Ram Chandra Prasad Singh in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Arrangements in full swing for Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations on 31st October
Arrangements are in full swing to celebrate the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas on 31st October, 2018, the birthday of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Several events are scheduled to be held by various Ministries, PSUs and organisations across the country.
In the national capital New Delhi and all over the States, people will take a pledge to protect the unity and integrity of India and participate in the Run for Unity programme. In Delhi, the Run will be organised from Major Dhynachand Stadium on 31st October at 7 AM. It will be flagged off by the Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh. The Home Minister will also pay floral tributes at the statue of Sardar Patel in the Parliament Street.
Various Ministries/ Departments will organise Run for Unity, March Past and Ekta Diwas pledge as well as other different activities on the occasion all over the country. These ministries include the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, External Affairs , Defence, Railways, Power, Housing & Urban Affairs, Shipping, Civil Aviation, Road, Transport & Highways, Tourism, Petroleum & Natural Gas, among others. Senior citizens, women, ex-servicemen, prominent sports personalities and others are expected to join the celebrations.
The MEA will organise pledge taking in Indian Missions. Essay/Quiz Competitions, debates, short films, photo exhibition etc. will be organised in offices of MEA and in the Indian Missions. It will arrange ‘Talks’ on life and contribution of Sardar Patel in cooperation with ‘Friendship Societies’ and ‘Think Tanks’.
The Ministry of Railways will organise pledge and March Past at its Zonal and Divisional HQs. Under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, various events such as Run for Unity, pledge, floral tribute, poetry/painting competitions involving all citizens of Tier-I and Tier-II cities including SMART and AMRUT cities/towns will be organised.
The Ministry of Culture will organise activities including essay, quiz competitions, lectures and symposium at Sahitya Academy and other programmes at Zonal Cultural Centres. The National School of Drama will organize a special play on Sardar Patel.
The Human Resource Development Ministry is organising essay competitions/debates, Run for Unity, pledge in 2000+ Kendriya and Navodaya Vidyalayas, drawing participation of a huge number of students. The students will also be encouraged to speak simple sentences/words in constitutionally recognised 22 Indian languages for 22 consecutive days – one language every day.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas will organise programmes in oil PSUs. The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting will telecast the film 'Sardar' on DD, play radio and TV jingles and will run features on life and achievements of Sardar Patel. Talk shows/interviews based programmes/live phone-in programmes on 'Integration of India will also be telecast by the Ministry.
The Central Armed Police Forces  will actively participate in State-level and other field level functions and organise March pasts.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on Affordable Mental Health Services
District Mental Health Programme in 738 districts
25 Centres of Excellence sanctioned to increase intake of students in PG departments in mental health specialities
For providing affordable and accessible mental healthcare facilities in the country, the Government is implementing the National Mental Health Programme  in the country. The District Mental Health Programme  component of the NMHP has been sanctioned for implementation in 738 districts for which support is provided to States/UTs through the National Health Mission. Facilities made available under DMHP at the Community Health Centre and Primary Health Centre levels, include outpatient services, assessment, counselling/ psycho-social interventions, continuing care and support to persons with severe mental disorders, drugs, outreach services, ambulance services etc. In addition to above services there is a provision of 10 bedded in-patient facility at the District level. Under the tertiary care component of NMHP, 25 Centres of Excellence have been sanctioned to increase the intake of students in PG departments in mental health specialities as well as to provide tertiary level treatment facilities. Further, the Government has also supported 19 Government medical colleges/institutions to strengthen 47 PG Departments in mental health specialties. Mental Health Services are also provisioned for 22 AIIMS. These services are also available under PMJAY.
The Government is also augmenting the availability of manpower to deliver mental healthcare services in the underserved areas of the country by providing online training courses to various categories of general healthcare medical and para medical professionals through the Digital Academies, since 2018, established at the three Central Mental Health Institutes namely National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bengaluru, Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi Regional Institute of Mental Health, Tezpur, Assam, and Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi.
In addition to the above, mental health services have been added in the package of services under Comprehensive Primary Health Care under Ayushman Bharat – HWC Scheme. Operational guidelines on Mental, Neurological, and Substance Use Disorders  at Health and Wellness Centres  have been released under the ambit of Ayushman Bharat.
Besides the above, the Government has launched a “National Tele Mental Health Programme” on 10th October, 2022, to improve access to quality mental health counselling and care services in the country. As on 18.07.2023, 31 States/ UTs have set up 42 Tele MANAS Cells and have started tele mental health services. More than 1,94,000 calls have been handled on the helpline number.
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM and other leaders attend lunch in Parliament where millet dishes were served
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi along with other leaders attended a lunch in Parliament where millet dishes were served as India prepares to mark 2023 as the International Year of Millets.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said;
"As we prepare to mark 2023 as the International Year of Millets, attended a sumptuous lunch in Parliament where millet dishes were served. Good to see participation from across party lines."